One fatality and dozens arrested in Friday MB protests

One person has been killed and 12 arrested in clashes following Muslim Brotherhood marches in Bulaq Dakour, state-owned daily newspaper Al-Ahram reported Friday.

Clashes and skirmishes were reported after marches called for by the Anti-Coup Alliance in several governorates across the country.

Reports issued by the Brotherhood that one of their members died in clashes in west Alexandria were denied by the head of Alexandria’s police, Al-Ahram reported. He said that the young man had been killed in a fight between residents that was unconnected to today’s marches.

The Ministry of Health issued a statement noting no casualties, but six injured in the governorates of Giza, Sharqiya and Fayoum between 9 am and 3.30 pm.

A state of calm prevailed in various districts of Alexandria, reported privately owned Al-Shorouk newspaper, after isolated Brotherhood marches were dispersed.

Local residents in Damietta were “provoked” by slogans that were hostile to the military, according to privately owned Al-Masry Al-Youm, and police confronted three Brotherhood marches.

There were two police injuries in the clashes that broke out between Brotherhood supporters and residents in Sharqiya and three participants were arrested, Al-Masry Al-Youm reported.

The army intervened in clashes between the Brotherhood and police forces in Suez, arresting 10, Al-Masry Al-Youm added.

In eastern Alexandria ten were arrested and five in Monufiya following clashes, state-owned Egynews reported. Additionally, four were arrested in a march in Hayy Asher carrying light weapons, Al-Masry Al-Youm reported, and four in Beheira according to Al-Shorouk.

Two explosives were deactivated on Friday morning near a branch of the National Bank in Beni Suef, Al-Shorouk added.

The assistant minister of interior for security said Friday that security preparations had been made to counter any acts of violence or sabotage by the Muslim Brotherhood, in a phone call to television show “Voice of the People,” Al-Masry Al-Youm reported.

He said that the Brotherhood are “exploiting the days of the working week to cause trouble in universities, while on Fridays, as the universities are closed, they cause trouble on the streets.”

The Anti-Coup Alliance called for marches from March 19 until the end of the month. March 19 saw university clashes across the country and two students killed. In a statement released on Friday, head of Cairo University Gaber Nassar said legal action has been taken against 23 students for engaging in vandalism and violence on campus on that day.